by K. C. Crowne
“I don’t know why I’m talking to you about this,” he chuckled, rubbing his face as if he expected to rub a beard that wasn’t there. “I guess the mask helps.”
“Of course it does. There’s an element of anonymity to it.” I wondered who the hell he was. But if he wanted to remain anonymous, as some donors at the event had, I didn’t want to intrude.
“Exactly.”
He met my gaze again, and my heart thundered in my chest. Without even seeing most of his face, I was still captivated by his sexiness. I wanted to know more about this handsome stranger but wasn’t sure how much he’d be willing to share with me.
A group of people rushed into the hallway, talking loudly and laughing and interrupting our conversation. The masked man cringed and stepped back, moving toward the door. Without thinking, I grabbed his hand and said, “Follow me.”
I led him out into the gardens near the pool and spa area. The pool was under repair and not open to the public, but the gardens were still cared for by my mother. It was a quiet, serene place that didn’t get many visitors and would allow both of us to breathe.
“Thanks,” he said, his hand still in mine. “I’m not one for crowds.”
“I could tell,” I replied. “So what brought you out, if you’re not into crowds?”
His eyes sparkled in the moonlight, and I saw the slightest hint of a smile on his lips - the only other part of his face I could see. His lips were thick and tempting, and I licked my own just thinking about how nice his would feel.
“To be honest, I just wanted to drop off my donation and get the hell outta here, but then I saw you and— the rest is history.”
“Well, I’m glad you decided to talk to me,” I said.
“Me too,” he said, his voice lower than before.
The night air was cool and crisp, and I shuddered when a wind blew through the gardens. The masked man took off his black jacket, wrapping me in it. We were closer now, close enough that I inhaled his musky scent and felt woozy.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Yes, it’s just—” I looked up into those eyes and felt so safe there. I hardly knew this man, I didn’t even know his name, but I felt a connection with him.
Before I could finish answering, he lowered his head and pressed those perfect lips to mine. I gasped, taken by surprise, but I kissed him back. I opened my mouth to him, inviting him in, and he accepted the invitation. His strong arms wrapped around me as we kissed under the moonlight.
It was perfect.
Too perfect to feel real. I felt like I was in a romantic movie, and that it couldn’t be real life.
The man pulled away from me suddenly and muttered an apology. “I have to go,” he announced. “I don’t know what got into me.”
“Wait,” I said, “can you at least tell me your name?”
He looked at me with wide eyes, seemingly shocked. As if I should know who he was. He didn’t answer. Instead, he hurried into the hotel, and my little legs couldn’t keep up. He exited through the front door as I called after him, the crowd of people from earlier blocking my path.
I stood in the lobby of the hotel wondering if any of that was real. I drank nothing but sparkling water all night, but it felt like a dream or a hallucination.
It couldn’t have been real, but my lips still tingled from his kiss.
And I could still smell him.
I reached up and realized I still had his jacket wrapped around my shoulders.
So yes, he was real. We really kissed.
But who was he, and why had he run out like that?
Would I ever know?
Chapter 7
Kellen
What the hell was I thinking?
Going to the event was a terrible idea, but what happened in the gardens with Leah was the stupidest fucking thing I’d ever done.
I rushed to my truck and threw my mask down on the passenger seat. I’d told Grant I’d only be a few minutes, just wanted to drop off my check and hurry home to Matilda, but I saw Leah and she looked amazing. Like she’d stepped out of a historical movie or something.
I’d lost my mind when I saw her. I let myself go.
I watched the door, making sure she didn’t come out. She didn’t know who I was, which was a blessing. I ran my hand over my clean-shaven face. I had shaved to make myself look more presentable, had enough of the homeless comments from Grant, even though he had no room to talk. But I missed it and felt bare without it.
I glanced around and noticed a man was standing outside the hotel, his eyes fixed on my truck. Glaring, almost. I didn’t recognize him, so I pushed it out of my head as I called Grant.
“Hey, man, sorry, I didn’t mean to stay so long—”
“It’s fine,” Grant waved away my concern. “She’s done nothing but sleep while you were gone.”
“Thanks again for watching her. I owe you one,” I said. “I know you probably wanted to be at the event tonight.”
“Nah, not really. I don’t like the constant reminders of my sister.”
Remembering how I couldn’t step into Alice and Henry’s house, I understood completely. “I can relate to that.”
I looked at the hotel, and the man was still there. Still staring. I decided to ask Grant about him later, but in the meantime, I just wanted to get home to Matilda.
“You know, Piper is pretty awesome for childcare,” Grant commented. “Not that I mind watching her, but let’s face it. Piper is better equipped to handle kids than I am.”
I knew he was right. But the idea of trusting Matilda with a stranger didn’t sit right with me. Grant might not have much experience, but I trusted him. I knew he was a good man who would protect her at all costs.
“Yeah, I’m going to my first parenting class tomorrow,” I told him. “Give her and her team a trial run.”
I got off the phone and started the truck. The man was gone now, no longer staring at me. As I pulled out of the parking lot, a car followed and stayed right on my bumper. I cursed under my breath but tried to ignore it. I turned right and headed toward home, and the car turned with me.
The hair on the back of my neck stood up. Was someone following me? If so, why?
Nah, you’re just paranoid, I told myself.
Still, I didn’t want to lead this asshole home just in case he was after me for some reason. Didn’t want to take him home to Matilda. The police station was just up ahead, so I turned in there.
The car sped off, hurrying down the road. If it was following me, it was gone now. If not, well, at least I didn’t have to worry about it. I pulled out and hit the road towards home.
Ooo000ooo
Matilda was asleep when I got there, and he seemed relieved that he hadn’t had to do anything while I was away. He told me again to check Piper, and I promised I would. We’d be doing some work around town, and it wouldn’t be right to take a baby with me on job sites. Either I would never be able to work or I’d have to find someone to watch her, and from the brief encounter with Piper, I liked her well enough. Grant liked her too, and I trusted his opinion.
With my first parenting class the next morning, I went to bed soon after Grant left. But like most nights, I didn’t sleep well. Either Matilda was awake and needing to be fed or changed, or I was up checking on her. I was lucky to get an hour of sleep at a time.
I spent most of the night in bed, listening for Matilda and thinking about the charity event.
No, scratch that. I was thinking about Leah.
The sequined dress fit her perfectly, like it had been made for her. She was petite, just a tiny little thing, but with some curves to her, revealed earlier that night. While the mask covered up most of her beautiful face, her eyes and lips were on display - highlighting just how perfect and beautiful they were. Her thick, plump lips were so soft against mine, and her body felt so good in my arms.
It had felt right.
But what the hell did I know? I hardly knew the woman. She was hot as hell, sure, but that
wasn’t reason enough to open myself up to her. I had a lot going on, the last thing I needed was to get involved with someone. Especially someone as high profile in Liberty as her. If something went wrong between us, small towns liked to talk - and being the new guy in town, I’d be the one punished for it.
Not worth the risk. Especially since I was doing my best to give Matilda a good, stable life. She mattered more than anything, and I couldn’t allow myself to get distracted by a gorgeous woman in a skintight dress.
Without even realizing it, my hand had moved down to my erection. As I imagined Leah in my head, I stroked myself. Closing my eyes, I pictured peeling that dress off her perfect body.
I stopped briefly, scolding myself for having such thoughts, but the need was gnawing at me. It had been so long since I’d been with a woman - before Henry’s death, in fact. I secluded myself away from people after that and didn’t allow myself to get to know anyone.
A little masturbation and fantasy action wouldn’t hurt, I told myself.
I continued stroking myself, running my hand up and down my cock.
Her hands were so tiny, they wouldn’t even be able to grasp me completely. And her mouth - would she be able to take me between those lips and into her throat? Her lips were plump, but her mouth, as with everything else about her, was small and delicate.
Maybe she couldn’t in reality, but in my fantasy, she took me in as far as she could and used her hands to make up the difference. Her pretty little head moved up and down on my shaft, her eyes turned upward, staring into mine.
God, yes. I wanted her mouth all over my body, but more than that, I wanted to explore hers.
I picked her up and laid her on the ground, surrounded by the flowers of the garden. The cool night air whipped around us as I sunk into her. Her legs wrapped around my body, pulling herself upward to take me in deeper.
I groaned, feeling my balls tighten against my body. It had been at least a week or more since I’d cum, a rarity for me, but with everything going on, I didn’t have the time or energy.
I’d built up so much cum and was ready to explode. My hand moved faster, my grip tightened. In my fantasy, Leah was screaming out my name, cumming around my cock. Her body spasming underneath mine.
Ropes of hot cum shot out of me, coating my stomach.
Relief washed over me. There was no longer that need burning inside of me, and I could finally fall asleep, mostly content.
It wasn’t as good as the real thing, but it would have to do.
Ooo000ooo
“Fuck me.” I cringed as the words left my mouth, and I stared down at Matilda cradled against my chest in the baby carrier. We were headed to the first parenting class at Little Cubs, but all four of my tires were flat. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”
I apologized even though I knew she couldn’t understand me yet. But one of these days, she would repeat what I said, and I knew I’d better start watching my language or she’d be cursing like a sailor before the age of two.
No one in town had any beef with me, as far as I knew. I only really talked to Grant. Maybe Leah was upset with me, but she didn’t seem like the tire slashing type. At least not without a note explaining why she’d done it - or better yet, cussing me out in person. I didn’t think she was the type to damage property, but hell, what did I know about her?
I reached for my phone and called Little Cubs. Piper answered on the second ring even though it wasn’t even eight yet.
“Little Cubs, this is Piper speaking,” she said, sounding awfully chipper despite the earliness.
“Hey, Piper, this is Kellen,” I said. “I know I was supposed to come into the class this morning, but I’m afraid I can’t make it. I have some car trouble.”
“Oh no,” she sympathized. “Where do you live? I’m sure one of the other parents would be happy to pick you up on the way.”
I cringed at the thought. Even though I was technically going to a class filled with parents, the very idea of socializing with them didn’t appeal to me at all. Mainly because I didn’t see myself as one of them.
“That’s alright. I can still come to the next one, right?”
“Sure, sweetie,” she trilled. “But if you want to come now, I’m sure we could work something out.”
I looked down at Matilda. I had no fucking clue what I was doing. I somehow managed to keep her alive and well, but I needed all the help I could get. So I gave her my address.
“You know what? I have an idea,” she announced. “Let me just make a quick call and get back to you.”
I had no idea what she was planning, but I let her go and put Matilda in her car seat while I inspected the rest of the truck. There was a note tucked under the windshield wiper. I’m not sure how I’d missed it, but I hadn’t really been looking. I unfolded the piece of paper, and in big, black ink, it simply said, Stay away from Leah.
I remembered the man standing outside the hotel. Had he seen me with Leah? I wasn’t sure. I’d forgotten to ask Grant about him the night before but made a mental note to ask about him the next time we talked. If it hadn’t been him, I had no idea who else it could be.
My phone rang, and I picked up.
“Alright, my best friend, Leah, is going to pick you up on her way into town.”
“Leah?” I asked, my throat going dry.
“Yes,” Piper giggled. “Is that a problem?”
“No, of course not,” I muttered, running a hand over my face. It wasn’t nearly as clean shaven as the night before; stubble was growing back in. I wasn’t happy without a beard so decided to grow it out and keep it trimmed. Didn’t want to give anyone a bad impression of me, especially now that I was caring for a child who’d grow up here.
I climbed into my truck and relaxed into the seat as I waited for Leah to arrive. Hopefully she wouldn’t recognize me as the man from the last night, or else the ride would get a hell of a lot more awkward.
Her Prius pulled into my driveway, and I got out of my truck. I grabbed Matilda from her car seat as Leah got out of her car.
It was hard not to gawk at her. She was no longer in a slinky dress, but even in jeans and a t-shirt, she was still hot as hell. Especially with jeans that hugged her body tight, showing off the curve of her hips.
“Mornin’,” I said, as I walked over to her car.
“Mornin’,” she grumbled.
She stared at me for a second, and I turned my head - not wanting her to put two-and-two together and recognizing me.
“Thanks for giving me a ride,” I said, opening the back door to the car. I placed Matilda’s car seat in the back and began setting it up, trying my best to keep my face hidden from sight.
“Not a problem,” she muttered. “I’d do anything for Piper.”
Once Matilda was nice and secure in the back seat, I closed the door and hurried over to the passenger side. With my long legs, I almost didn’t fit, and she had to show me how to move the seat back.
I tried to keep my head turned away from her.
“You shaved, huh?” she commented. “Looks nice.”
“Thanks,” I mumbled. “Thought it was about time to clean myself up a bit.”
The rest of the drive into town was mostly filled with awkward silence. She kept looking at me, and I’d look out the window. She would eventually recognize me, and I had no idea what I’d say when she did. Would I apologize for running out on her like that? Tell her it was all a mistake? She already thought I was an asshole - and hell, I was - what difference did it make?
For one, I still had to live in this town, and two, she was Grant’s sister. Another reason I shouldn’t have pursued her. I finally make a friend, and then I had to fuck up and make out with his sister and run off like a scared little boy.
Leah pulled up outside of the daycare and parked the car. I unbuckled my seat belt.
“Thank you.” I opened the car door.
“Wait,” she said, grabbing my arm and stopping me from leaving the car.
“What?” I asked, my heart pounding in my chest. Was this it, the moment she recognized me?
“Listen, I’m sorry for the way I talked to you at the cafe when we first met. I didn’t know you had a new baby. I’m sure things are stressful enough for you without me calling you names and arguing with you over a dumb parking spot.”
Her apology surprised me. Mostly because that little argument at the cafe barely registered in my mind. Sure, I remembered how fucking cute she looked, but the emotions from that day were nothing compared to what happened afterward.
“It’s all good,” I said, offering her a friendly smile. I patted her hand, and she released my arm. “I’m sorry I was such a dick.”
She smiled back at me, and it brought back memories from the night before. The way her lips felt against mine, the way they tasted.
“Alright, I better get in there,” I said. “I’m late enough as it is.”
“Oh, yeah,” Leah murmured, her cheeks flushing a bit. “Have a good day, and tell Piper I said hello.”
“Will do.” I stepped out of the car and hurried to the back of the car. I unbuckled Matilda from the backseat and carried her inside, trying my damnedest not to look back at Leah in her car.
Chapter 8
Leah
My head was in the clouds the rest of the morning. I couldn’t stop thinking about the mysterious man from the night before. For a moment, when I saw Kellen that morning, I thought it might have been him - but I brushed it off.
He was a new father; there was no way he’d have been at the party alone, much less kissing me like that. Unless, of course, he was a cheater, and God help me if he was.
“Need some help?” Piper called out from behind me.
I turned on my heels. “What the hell are you doing here?”
She shrugged, walking through the ballroom toward me with a laugh. “After the parenting class, things slowed down. Weekends tend to be slower, and Tabby had it under control. Thought you might need some help cleaning up.”
